The University of Mississippi Athletics
California Outfielder Soraya Shahbazian Joins Rebels
11/23/2014 | Softball
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss continued to build its recruiting class for the 2015-16 academic year with the addition of California outfielder Soraya Shahbazian to the class, head coach Mike Smith announced on Sunday.
Shahbazian is the seventh announced member of the recruiting class. She joins Kylan Becker (Miami, Florida), Megan Harris (Whitehouse, Texas), Ashton Lampton (Decatur, Mississippi), Kennedy Cline (Lumberton, Texas), Sarah Van Schaik (Petal, Mississippi) and Sydney McKeown (Newport Beach, California).
"Soraya packs a strong punch in a small package and I think she will be our energizer bunny," Smith said. "She's very lively and just loves to live every day. She works hard every day and is excited to get to come play softball for this program and being part of the traditions of Ole Miss. She plays big and is a strong kid with scary power for her size. She runs well in the outfield and brings a basketball run-and-gun style to the outfield. She will be anywhere and everywhere."
Shahbazian comes to the Rebels from Palos Verdes Peninsula High School where she was named the 2014 Most Valuable Player for her team and also garnered first team All-Area honors. She was also named a second team All-Area selection for 2012-13. In the 2011 season she was named an All-Star Athlete of the Year and a 2010 U.S. Athlete of the Year.
The California athlete also competed in travel ball with the California Raiders 18U Gold and was selected to serve as the team captain in 2013 and 2014.
Shahbazian is also active in her local community and school as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Youth Action - Stop KONY Fashion Against Poverty, the ABS Leadership and the Palos Verdes Assembly.
She was selected to the 2013 Homecoming Court and was selected as a Homecoming Princess in 2012.
